Periyar Tiger Reserve shifting to CNG buses to curb pollution
The Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala is transitioning its transit fleet from diesel to CNG buses to reduce pollution. The initiative is supported by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited through a corporate social responsibility grant.
Why it matters
This shift highlights the growing trend of integrating eco-friendly infrastructure within protected wildlife habitats to minimize human-induced environmental impact.
The Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady, a popular tourist destination in Kerala, is transitioning to green energy by introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
According to PTR East Deputy Director Midhun Mohan, this marks the first time a tourism centre under the Kerala Forest department has introduced CNG buses for passenger transit. Previously, visitors were ferried in diesel buses from Anavachal parking ground to the boat landing inside the reserve, a four-km distance.
To curb pollution inside the tiger reserve, the department introduced the eco-friendly fleet with the support of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Kochi Refinery, which contributed ₹88.37 lakh under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund for procuring the vehicles.
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